Chinese July Magnesium Exports: Volume Boosted by Orders as Market Focus Broadens[SMM Analysis]

In July 2025, the total export volume of magnesium products from China reached 36,600 tonnes, representing a month-on-month increase of 3.10% and a year-on-year increase of 6.40%. Looking at the export performance of magnesium products in July, there was a growth trend compared to the same period last month. The main reason was that overseas orders were placed later than in previous years. In late May and early June, magnesium market prices experienced volatility, leading to increased caution among buyers. Some downstream end-users delayed their orders until late June when magnesium prices began to decline, resulting in July becoming the primary delivery period and a significant increase in cumulative export volumes.

In terms of product performance, the mainstream categories of magnesium product exports remain magnesium ingots, magnesium powder, and magnesium alloys. Among these, magnesium ingots accounted for 59% of exports this month, continuing to dominate exports.

Regarding magnesium ingots, July exports reached 21,600 tonnes, representing a month-on-month increase of 6.11% and a year-on-year increase of 11.39%. Given the low-volatility market conditions for magnesium prices at the beginning of July, this suggests that some traders chose to concentrate on delivering prior orders and expediting shipments during that month. However, looking at cumulative exports for the year, total magnesium ingot exports decreased by 7.9% year-on-year, indicating that the overall export outlook for the year remains contractionary.

For magnesium powder, July exports reached 0.64 million tonnes, up 10.68% month-on-month. This indicates that magnesium powder exports continue to follow a two-month fluctuation pattern, suggesting that overseas procurement cycles have shortened, shifting from traditional quarterly orders to a two-month ordering frequency. The growth in June orders drove the increase in July exports.

For magnesium alloys, July exports reached 0.67 million tonnes, a month-on-month decrease of 4.07%. Cumulative exports for the year decreased by 0.25% year-on-year. Overall, demand for magnesium alloy exports remained stable throughout the year. However, the tariff policy implemented in April triggered a ‘rush to export’ trend, leading to a surge in May exports and a forward-shifting of demand, which in turn created some demand leakage for subsequent months.

Taking magnesium ingots, which account for the highest proportion of exports, as the main focus, the six major exporting countries are still India, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. However, from the distribution situation, it can be seen that the Netherlands, as the main trade junction in Europe, has seen a sharp decline in exports since April, with exports in July reaching 4,400 tonnes.

This change is mainly due to the phased support of some European orders in June, but overall demand is not as strong as before, and Europe is gradually losing its original dominant position. This change is mainly due to the temporary support of some quarterly orders in Europe in June, but overall demand is not as strong as before, and Europe is gradually losing its original dominant position.

At present, demand in India has remained stable this year, becoming an important market second only to Europe, with monthly exports reaching 2,400 tonnes. In addition, Japan, South Korea and Canada have also maintained stable export levels, indicating that the focus of magnesium ingot exports is gradually shifting to markets outside Europe.